Friday, April 11, 2014

Lemon Hazelnut Tiramisu

I am so beyond excited to finally share this recipe because, YOU GUYS, I've been holding it hostage on to it for a year. AN ENTIRE YEAR! That's such complete craziness to me considering how much I adored this most excellent tiramisu adaptation.I served this for Easter last year. It was one of the best holidays I've ever had. It was originally just going to be a small family holiday, but when I found out two of my best friends from school would be without family, my family and I knew we wanted to invite them. We had so. much. fun. We laughed and laughed and ate and ate. My mom and I put together an Italian menu, and this dessert was the crowning glory.Just like traditional tiramisu, which literally translates into "pick me up," this beauty is airy and fluffy. The classic coffee and chocolate combination is swapped out for lemon and hazelnut, which make for a lighter, brighter spring flavor profile just made for Easter or any number of events that always seem to pop up this time of year. The lemon syrup and sunny flecks of lemon zest perfectly contrast the layers or sweet whipped cream, and the hazelnuts create textural balance. The dessert is supposed to be made and assembled the night before, which is really important to me when I entertain. To keep the very top layer of chopped hazelnuts nice and crunchy, I added them shortly before my guests arrived. Other than that, all I did one the day of the event was serve up this beauty and enjoy every last bite with my family and friends. Love, love, love.

Lemon Hazelnut Tiramisufrom Giada De Laurentiis, Giada at HomeIngredients:For the lemon syrup:1/4 c. fresh lemon juice1/4 c. water1/3 c. sugarFor the tiramisu:1 1/2 c. whipping cream1/2 tsp. cinnamon5 TBSP granulated sugar1 (15-oz.) container mascarpone cheese, at room temperaturezest of 1 lemon, divided1/2 c. hazelnut liqueur (such as Frangelico)48 ladyfinger cookies1 1/4 c. (5 oz.) lightly chopped toasted, skinned hazelnutsDirections:1. In a small saucepan, combine all three ingredients for the lemon syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 2 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Set syrup aside and cool to room temperature.2. Using either a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a large bowl and hand mixer, whip the cream until thick. Add the cinnamon and 2 TBSP sugar and continue to whip until soft peaks form. 3. In a separate large bowl, cream together remaining sugar and mascarpone cheese for 30 seconds. Mix 1/4 of the whipped cream into the mascarpone, then fold in the remaining whipped cream and half the lemon zest with a rubber spatula. Set aside.4. Pour the hazelnut liqueur in a small shallow bowl. Dip 16 ladyfingers in the liqueur and place them in the bottom of a 13x9x2 serving dish. Spoon any remaining liqueur over the dipped cookies. Spread 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture of the cookies and top with 1/3 of the hazelnuts.5. Place the lemon syrup in a small shallow bowl. Dip 16 ladyfingers in the syrup and arrange on top of the hazelnuts. Spread 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture over the cookies, then top with 1/3 hazelnuts.6. Dip last 16 ladyfingers in the lemon syrup, arrange in the serving dish, and drizzle with any remaining lemon syrup. Top with the last 1/3 of the mascarpone mixture. Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.7. To serve, remove tiramisu from the refrigerator one hour before serving. Mix remaining hazelnuts and lemon zest and sprinkle generously over the top of the tiramisu.Yield: 10-12 servings

This was absolutely the best dessert ever. It was perfect for Easter and our family gathering. Having Kelsey's friends join us was such a blessing and so much fun! After a wonderful meal, this dessert was perfect because it was refreshing, light, and delicious...did I say delicious! I will always prefer this version of Tiramisu over the traditional type from that day forward. Thank you.